Israeli police wound dozens of Palestinians in Al Aqsa Mosque raid
At least 205 people were injured at Al Aqsa mosque after Israeli riot police attacked the Palestinians following prayers on the last Friday of Ramadan, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Israeli police fired rubber bullets, tear gas and stun grenades at Palestinians who responded with rocks and bottles at Islam’s third-holiest site.
Videos on social media showed Israeli forces storming the mosque’s plaza and firing sound grenades inside the building, where worshippers including women and children were praying.
At the beginning of Ramadan, Israel blocked off a popular gathering spot where Palestinians during Ramadan. The move set off two weeks of clashes before Israel lifted the restrictions.
In recent days, protesters have scuffled with police and illegal settlers over the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinians in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in occupied East Jerusalem.
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry said, “the storming of the sanctuary and the assault on the peaceful worshipers is a grave violation, a barbaric act, and is strongly condemned and rejected.”
The United States said it was “deeply concerned” about the violence and that they were in contact with leaders on both sides to try and de-escalate tensions. The U.S. State Department said “It is critical to avoid steps that exacerbate tensions or take us farther away from peace,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement. “This includes evictions in East Jerusalem, settlement activity, home demolitions, and acts of terrorism.”
The European Union also urged calm and said the potential evictions were of “serious concern,” adding that such actions are “illegal under international humanitarian law and only serve to fuel tensions on the ground.”